Spain vs. Netherlands World Cup instant analysis

The online journalist's Netherlands vs. Spain World Cup final checklist:

1) Have you mentioned that this match will add a new name to the list of World Cup winners?

Whatever the outcome of this final, history is going to be made, and the World Cup's trusty engraver will have to break in a new stencil.

2) Have you mentioned that the Netherlands failed to win the World Cup during the decade in which it had unarguably the greatest soccer team in the world? Bonus points for using the words "Cruyff" and "Total football." Guaranteed entry to journo heaven if you can crowbar in Arie Haan's semifinal goal versus Italy in 1978.

Holland is looking to make it third time lucky, with Johan Cruyff and co. having been denied by the host nation in two consecutive finals. No Total Football this time around, but the trophy would be nice, nonetheless. If short shorts and flat caps are your thing, check out these classy videos of the 1974 final versus West Germany, and the 1978 final against Argentina. And if you've got time, it could be worse spent than watching a humdinger of a strike from Arie Haan, the goal that got the Dutch to the 1978 final in the first place.

3) Have you mentioned that Spain has never reached a World Cup final before? Have you pointed out that there would be something historically resonant about the Dutch winning this match, not only avenging their 1970s defeats but also forcing another nation to endure being the best and still going home empty handed?

Erm, yeah. That.

Join me from 2 p.m. ET on Sunday for live instant analysis of the 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain, right on this very page. And if you want to send me your thoughts on the match, the tournament or memories of previous finals, my email address is georgina.turner.si@gmail.com.

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